THEFTS FROM LAUNCHES

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 141, 17 June 1930, Page 9

THEFTS FROM LAUNCHES

OFFENCES AT DEVONPORT.

LABOURER SENTENCED

FIVE CHARGES ADMITTED

"He drinks and he steals.

This was how Chief Detective Hammond summed up the activities of George Albert Howard, a labourer (25), when he appeared in the Police Court this morning to answer four charges of theft from launch owners, and one charge relating to the conversion of a dinghy to his own use.

Howard admitted stealing clothing, beer, rugs, field glasses and other articles to the value of £17 3/6 from several launches lying at anchor at Devonport. The offences were committed on various dates between March 15 last and April

Pleading for leniency for Howard, Mr. Fraer said accused had never previously been in trouble. The offences all occurred about the same time, but during a period that accused had been drinking heavily. Should he be given a chance, Howard was willing to take out a prohibition order.

Chief Detective Hammond admitted that Howard had never before been involved in charges of dishonesty, although he had been convicted of drunkenness. He was now charged with thefts from launches lying in the harbour, and he had broken open doors to get into the cabins.

In reply to- Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., the probation officer said he thought accused would make good if prohibited and given a chance.

"Here we have a man who has broken into five launches, and you know the noise we hear from launch "owners about this kind of offence," said Chief Detective Hammond, in urging that Howard be kept under supervision for a fairly lengthy term.

Howard was fined £.3 -and placed on probation for two years. He was ordered to take out a prohibition order and make restitution amounting to 6/6, in default a month's imprisonment.